Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones dead at 75

Randy Jones, left-hander who won the tournament National League Cy Young Award in 1976, died Tuesday at age 75.

Jones made his MLB debut with San Diego Padres in 1973 and impressed as a rookie with a 3.16 ERA in 20 appearances, 19 starts. After going 8–22 in his second season, he bounced back with an NL-best 2.24 ERA in 1975, earning his first All-Star nod and finishing second in Cy Young Award voting to Tom Seaver.

The following season, he pitched an MLB-best 315.1 innings, and although five other National League starters had an ERA higher than his 2.74, he led the majors with 25 complete games, and his WHIP of 1.03 was also the best in the National League. His 22 wins also led the majors, all of which were enough to defeat Jerry Koosman. Don Sutton finished third, Steve Carlton was fourth, and Seaver dropped to eighth.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS RESOURCES ON FOXNEWS.COM

In his last game of that magical season, he damaged a nerve in his left hand and was never able to return to form. Despite a 2.88 ERA in 1978, he finished with an ERA above 4.50 in three of his last six seasons. Jones joined New York Mets in his final two seasons in 1981 and 1982.

Jones was not known for striking out batters. In fact, he only had 93 strikeouts in his Cy Young Award-winning season, and his career best was 124 in 1974. He remains the only pitcher to ever win the Cy Young Award, but has a losing record during his career. Four times he ranked in the top 10 in innings pitched, walks per nine innings, starts and home runs per nine innings.

Former San Diego Padre Randy Jones waves before the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Todd Warshaw/Getty Images)

TYLER SKAGGS'S WIDOW SAYS SHE DIDN'T KNOW OF PITCHER'S DRUG USE AT THE TIME OF DEATH; THE MOTHER ALSO TESTIFIES

“It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that the Padres mourn the passing of our beloved left-hander Randy Jones. Randy was the cornerstone of our franchise. The CY Young Award winner, Padre Hall of Fame inductee and outstanding community ambassador, was a giant in our lives and will be greatly missed,” Padre said. The Padres said in a statement..

Former San Diego Padre Randy Jones tips his hat to the crowd before the 87th Annual MLB All-Star Game at PETCO Park on July 12, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Andy Haight/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Jones' No. 35 was retired by the Padres in 1997, and two years later he became a member of the team's first Hall of Fame class. He is widely credited with putting the expansion franchise on the map as the team struggled mightily throughout his tenure, but he provided a spark during the dark days.

Follow Fox News Digital sports reporting on Xand subscribe to Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.